Automated package registration systems, devices, and methods

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a robotic system includes: receiving first image data representative of a package surface; identifying a pair of edges based on the first image data; determining a minimum viable region based on the pair of edges; receiving second image data representative of the package after the lift; and creating registration data based on the first and second image data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application ser. No.16/736,667, filed Jan. 7, 2020, issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application No. 16/443,743, filed Jun. 17,2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,562,188, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/290,741, filed Mar. 1, 2019, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 10,369,701, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/752,756, filed Oct. 30, 2018, allof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

This application contains subject matter related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/443,757, filed Jun. 17, 2019, issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,562,188, and titled “AUTOMATED PACKAGE REGISTRATION SYSTEMS,DEVICES, AND METHODS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Often times, packages are palletized for shipment to a destination wherethey are de-palletized. Sometimes, they are de-palletized by humanworkers which can be expensive and risks bodily injuries. In industrialsettings, de-palletizing operations are often performed by industrialrobots such as a robotic arm that grips, lifts, transports, and deliversthe package to a release point. Also, an imaging device may be employedto capture an image of a stack of packages loaded on the pallet. Asystem may process the image to ensure the package is efficientlyhandled by the robotic arm, such as by comparing the captured image witha registered image stored in a registration data source.

On occasion, the captured image of a package may match a registeredimage. As a result, physical characteristics (e.g., measurements of apackage's dimensions, weight, and/or center or mass) of the imagedobjects may be unknown. Failure to correctly identify the physicalcharacteristics can lead to a variety of unwanted outcomes. For example,such failure could cause a stoppage, which may require manualregistration of the package. Also, such failure could result in apackage being mishandled, especially if the package is relatively heavyand/or lop-sided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a robotic system configured with a packageregistration mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of the robotic system inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 2A illustrates a force-torque sensor in accordance with someembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 2B illustrates a gripper in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an example stack of packages.

FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of the example stack of packages.

FIG. 3C illustrates example symbologies of registered packages inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a second example stack ofpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the second stack of packages inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4C illustrates example symbologies of registered and unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4D illustrates examples of unclear edges and minimum viable regions(MVRs) in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4E illustrates a second set of example symbologies of registeredand unregistered packages in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 4F illustrates a second example of unclear edges and an MVR inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4G illustrates a third set of example symbologies of unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4H illustrates an example placement of a gripper system over afirst MVR of FIG. 4D in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4I illustrates a fourth set of example symbologies of unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4J illustrates an example of unclear edges and an MVR for a newlyprocessed package in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4K illustrates an example placement of a gripper system over theMVR of FIG. 4F in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4L illustrates a fifth set of example symbologies of unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4M illustrates an example of unclear edges and an MVR for a newlyprocessed package in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4N illustrates an example placement of a gripper system over theMVR of FIG. 4M in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4O illustrates an example placement of a gripper system over theMVR of FIG. 4J in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4P illustrates an example placement of a gripper system over asecond MVR of FIG. 4D in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 4Q illustrates an example placement of a gripper system over athird MVR of FIG. 4D in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 5 illustrates a control flow for an example method for operatingthe robotic system 100 of FIG. 1A in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, several specific details are presented toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that embodiments of the present technology disclosedherein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, orin combination with other components, etc. In other instances,well-known implementations or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of various embodiments of the presenttechnology disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a robotic system 100 configured with apackage registration mechanism in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present technology. In some embodiments, the robotic system caninclude a de-palletizing platform 110, a receiving platform 120, arobotic arm system 130, an end effector 140, a processing unit (PU) 150,an image system 160, a registration data source (RDS) 170, a heightdetermination sensor (HDS) 180, and/or a release point sensor (RPS) 190.

The de-palletizing platform 110 can include any platform, surface,and/or structure upon which a plurality of packages 112 (singularly,“package 112”) may be stacked and/or staged and ready to be transportedto the receiving platform 120. It should be noted that, although theterm “package” and “packages” will used herein, the term includes anyother word that container of which, as discussed in detail below, iscapable of being gripped, lifted, transported, and delivered such as,but not limited to, “case,” “box”, “carton,” or any combination thereof.Moreover, although rectangular boxes are illustrated in the drawingsdisclosed herein, the shapes of the boxes are not limited to such shapebut includes any regular or irregular shape that, as discussed in detailbelow, is capable of being gripped, lifted, transported, and delivered.

Like the de-palletizing platform 110, the receiving platform 120 caninclude any platform, surface, and/or structure designated to receivethe packages 112 for further tasks/operations. In some embodiments, thereceiving platform 120 can include a conveyor system for transportingthe package 112 from one location (e.g., a release point as discussedbelow) to another location for further operations (e.g., sorting and/orstorage).

The robotic arm system 130 can include a set of link structures, joints,motors/actuators, sensors, or a combination thereof configured tomanipulate (e.g., transfer and/or rotate or reorient) the packages 112.The robotic arm system 130 can include a robotic arm 132 which, for thepurpose of illustration herein and not of limitation, could be anarticulated, six-axis robotic arm structure. Although the discussionherein will be drawn to the robotic arm system 130, the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited to such system but include any roboticsystem that may be configured to perform the actions disclosed herein.

The end effector 140 can include any component or components coupled toa distal end of the robotic arm 132 configured to interact with theplurality of packages 112. For example, the end effector 140 can includestructures (e.g., vacuum-based grippers) configured to grip and hold thepackages 112. In some embodiments, the end effector 140 could include aforce-torque (F-T) sensor 142, an arm interface 144, a gripper system146, and/or a gripper interface 148 (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B).

The PU 150 of FIG. 1B can be any unit(s) or circuits programmed and/orconfigured to not only direct and control the movements and/or otheractions of the robotic arm system 130 (including the end effector 140)but also process other related data. For example, the PU 150 can receiveimage data representative of a surface image (SI) of the package 112from the image system 160 and determine a registration status of the SIaccording to a registration record 172 provided by the RDS 170(discussed below), i.e., whether the package 112 is a registeredinstance of the package 112 or an unregistered instance of the package112 (e.g., with no or an incomplete instance of the registration record172 of the package 112). Also, for example, the PU 150 can direct therobotic arm system 130 to a registered instance of the package 112.Additionally, the PU 150 can apply a gripping control signal to thegripper system 146, direct the arm to the receiving platform 120, and/orrelease the registered instance of the package 112 on the receivingplatform 120 upon receiving a release signal from the RPS 190.

The PU 150 can include any electronic data processing unit whichexecutes software or computer instruction code that could be stored,permanently or temporarily, in a digital memory storage device or anon-transitory computer-readable media (generally, a memory 152 of FIG.1B) including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), discdrives, magnetic memory, read-only memory (ROM), compact disc (CD),solid-state memory, secure digital cards, and/or compact flash cards.The PU 150 may be driven by the execution of software or computerinstruction code containing algorithms developed for the specificfunctions embodied herein. In some embodiments, the PU 150 may be anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) customized for theembodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the PU 150 caninclude one or more of microprocessors, Digital Signal Processors(DSPs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Programmable Gate Arrays(PGAs), and signal generators; however, for the embodiments herein, theterm “processor” is not limited to such example processing units and itsmeaning is not intended to be construed narrowly. For instance, the PU150 can also include more than one electronic data processing unit. Insome embodiments, the PU 150 could be a processor(s) used by or inconjunction with any other system of the robotic system 100 including,but not limited to, the robotic arm system 130, the end effector 140,and/or the image system 160.

The PU 150 may be electronically coupled (via, e.g., wires, buses,and/or wireless connections) to systems and/or sources to facilitate thereceipt of input data. In some embodiments, operatively coupled may beconsidered as interchangeable with electronically coupled. It is notnecessary that a direct connection be made; instead, such receipt ofinput data and the providing of output data could be provided through abus, through a wireless network, or as a signal received and/ortransmitted by the PU 150 via a physical or a virtual computer port. ThePU 150 may be programmed or configured to execute the method discussedin detail below. In some embodiments, the PU 150 may be programmed orconfigured to receive data from various systems and/or units including,but not limited to, the image system 160, the RDS 170, the HDS 180,and/or the RPS 190. In some embodiments, the PU 150 may be programmed orconfigured to provide output data to various systems and/or unitsincluding, but not limited to, the robotic arm system 130, the endeffector 140, and the RDS 170.

The image system 160 could include one or more sensors 162 configured tocapture image data representative of one or more SIs of the packages 112located on the de-palletizing platform 110. In some embodiments, theimage data can represent visual designs and/or markings appearing on oneor more surfaces of the package 112 from which a determination of aregistration status of the package 112 may be made. In some embodiments,the image system 160 can include one or more cameras designed to workwithin targeted (e.g., visible and/or infrared) electromagnetic spectrumbandwidth and used to detect light/energy within the correspondingspectrum. In some embodiments, the image data could be a set of datapoints forming point cloud, the depth map, or a combination thereofcaptured from one or more three-dimensional (3-D) cameras and/or one ormore two-dimensional (2-D) cameras. From these cameras, distances ordepths between the image system 160 and one or more exposed (e.g.,relative to a line of sight for the image system 160) surfaces of thepackages 112 may be determined. In some embodiments, the distances ordepths can be determined through the use of an image recognitionalgorithm(s), such as contextual image classification algorithm(s)and/or edge detection algorithm(s). Once determined, the distance/depthvalues may be used to manipulate the packages 112 via the robotic armsystem 130. For example, the PU 150 and/or the robotic arm system 130can use the distance/depth values for calculating the position fromwhere the package 112 may be lifted and/or gripped. It should be notedthat data described herein, such as the image data, can include anyanalog or digital signal, either discrete or continuous, which couldcontain information or be indicative of information.

The image system 160 can include at least one display unit 164configured to present an image of the package(s) 112 captured by thesensors 162 that may be viewed by one or more operators of the roboticsystem 100 as discussed in detail below. In addition, the display units164 can be configured to present other information such as, but notlimited to, symbology representative of registered and/or unregisteredinstances of the packages 112 as discussed in detail below.

The RDS 170 could include any database and/or memory storage device(e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable media) configured to store theregistration records 172 for a plurality of the packages 112. Forexample, the RDS 170 can include read-only memory (ROM), compact disc(CD), solid-state memory, secure digital cards, compact flash cards,and/or data storage servers or remote storage devices.

In some embodiments, the registration records 172 can each includephysical characteristics or attributes for a corresponding package 112.For example, each registration record 172 can include, but not belimited to, one or more template SIs, 2-D or 3-D size measurements, aweight, and/or center of mass (CoM) information. The template SIs canrepresent known or previously determined visible characteristics of thepackage 112 including the design, marking, appearance, exteriorshape/outline, or a combination thereof of the package 112. The 2-D or3-D size measurements can include lengths, widths, heights, orcombination thereof for the known/expected packages.

In some embodiments, the RDS 170 can be configured to receive a newinstance of the registration record 172 (e.g., for a previously unknownpackage and/or a previously unknown aspect of a package) created inaccordance with the embodiments disclosed below. Accordingly, therobotic system 100 can automate the process for registering the packages112 by expanding the number of registration records 172 stored in theRDS 170, thereby making a de-palletizing operation more efficient withfewer unregistered instances of the packages 112. By dynamically (e.g.,during operation/deployment) updating the registration records 172 inthe RDS 170 using live/operational data, the robotic system 100 canefficiently implement a computer-learning process that can account forpreviously unknown or unexpected conditions (e.g., lighting conditions,unknown orientations, and/or stacking inconsistencies) and/or newlyencountered packages. Accordingly, the robotic system 100 can reduce thefailures resulting from “unknown” conditions/packages, associated humanoperator interventions, and/or associated task failures (e.g., lostpackages and/or collisions).

The HDS 180 can include components configured to provide a verticalmeasurement of an object (e.g., the package 112) relative to a referencepoint (e.g., a surface associated with the HDS 180). For the exampleillustrated in FIG. 1A, the HDS 180 can send a signal to the PU 150 ofFIG. 1 when a bottom portion/edge of the package 112 crosses ahorizontal surface (e.g., a scanning plane) associated with the HDS 180.The PU 150 can use the signal from the HDS 180 to determine the height(e.g., according to a placement/approach orientation) of the package112, such as according to a distance between the scanning plane of theHDS 180 (i.e., previously known) and a location of the gripper system146 at the time the signal is generated. As disclosed below, the heightof the package 112 may be added as a third-dimension measurement to 2-Dmeasurements already registered in the registration record 172. In someembodiments, the HDS 180 can be installed on the receiving platform 120as shown in FIG. 1A.

The RPS 190 can include components/circuits configured to trigger asignal that is provided to the PU 150 when the package 112 crosses orcontacts a horizontal plane associated with the RPS 190. In someembodiments, a signal triggered by the RPS 190 may be used to determinethe position at which the gripper system 146 releases the package 112onto the receiving platform 120. In some embodiments, the RPS 190 couldbe installed on the receiving platform 120 as shown in FIG. 1A.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, the F-T sensor 142 can be any sensorconfigured to detect linear and/or moment forces along an axis and/oraxes of a coordinate system. In some embodiments, the F-T sensor 142could include a component with six-axis force sensors configured todetect up to three axis forces (e.g., forces detected along x-, y-, andz-axes of a Cartesian coordinate system) employed by the robotic system100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B and/or three axis moments (e.g., moments detectedabout x-, y-, and z-axes of the Cartesian coordinate system). In someembodiments, the F-T sensor 142 could include a built-in amplifier andmicrocomputer for signal processing, an ability to make static anddynamic measurements, and/or an ability to detect instant changes basedon a sampling interval. In some embodiments, the F-T sensor 142 could becommunicatively coupled with the PU 150 of FIG. 1B via wired and/orwireless communications.

The arm interface 144 could be any device configured to couple thedistal end of the robotic arm 132 of FIG. 1A to the F-T sensor 142. Insome embodiments, a manufacturer of the robotic arm system 130 may bedifferent from a manufacturer of the F-T sensor 142. In such a case,ends of the arm interface 144 may have different configurations: one endbeing configured for coupling to the distal end, and the other end beingconfigured for coupling to the F-T sensor 142.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, the gripper system 146 can be any system orassembly configured to grip the package 112 of FIG. 1A from itsstationary position on the de-palletizing platform 110 of FIG. 1A, andsustain the grip while the package 112 is transported and delivered tothe receiving platform 120 of FIG. 1A by the robotic arm system 130 ofFIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the gripper system 146 could be comprisedof a vacuum gripper system employing a vacuum source for gripping thepackage 112 at the receiving platform 120 and releasing it at thede-palletizing platform 110. In some embodiments, the vacuum grippersystem could employ suction cup(s) as an interface with the package 112.

The gripper interface 148 of FIG. 2B could be any device configured tocouple the F-T sensor 142 to the gripper system 146. In someembodiments, a manufacturer of the F-T sensor 142 may be different froma manufacturer of the gripper system 146. In such a case, opposing sidesof the gripper interface 148 may have different configurations: one sidebeing configured for coupling to the F-T sensor 142, and the opposingside being configured for coupling to the gripper system 146.

FIGS. 3A through 4Q, illustrate how the robotic system 100 of FIGS. 1Aand 1B may be employed to create the registration record 172 of FIG. 1Bof the unregistered instance of the package 112 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 3Aillustrates a perspective view of an example stack of packages 112-1through 112-24. FIG. 3B illustrates a top view the example stack ofthese packages 112. FIG. 3B can correspond to an image and/or pointcloud data of the scene looking down on these packages 112 as capturedby the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. For thesole purpose of illustration and not of limitation, the packages 112-1through 112-3, 112-13 through 112-14, and 112-21 through 112-24 canrepresent registered instances of the packages 112, each having theregistration record 172 stored in the RDS 170 of FIG. 1B. For the sakeof discussion and brevity only, the packages 112 are shown as beingrectangular in shape, and each having a SI (shown as diagonal lines)that is registered in a respective registration record 172.

FIG. 3C illustrates example symbologies of registered packages inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 3Cillustrates the package symbologies (e.g., visual markers and/oroverlays for representing registration status of displayed objects)112-1 a through 112-3 a, 112-13 a through 112-14 a, and 112-21 a through112-24 a as shown by the display unit 164 of FIG. 1B. To produce thesesymbologies and the corresponding registration status, the captured SIsof the packages 112-1 through 112-3, 112-13 through 112-14, and 112-21through 112-24 of FIG. 3B may be compared with the SIs of theregistration records 172 stored in the RDS 170 with image recognitionalgorithm(s), and if registered, displayed as the symbology. In someembodiments, the symbology could be configured by a manufacturer and/orend-user with a visual format indicative of the SI being registered,where such format could employ an assortment of shapes and/or colors.For the purpose of illustration and not of limitation, a manufacturerand/or end-user has configured symbologies 112-1 a through 112-3 a,112-13 a through 112-14 a, and 112-21 a through 112-24 a to be the shapeand size of package outlines (i.e., assumed here as rectangular).Although not shown, the symbology could be color (e.g., green)indicative of a favorable registration status (i.e., existent instanceof the registration records 172) for each of the packages 112-1 through112-3, 112-13 through 112-14, and 112-21 through 112-24. Although notshown, the image of the scene shown in FIG. 3B could be presented on thedisplay unit 164 over which the symbology of FIG. 3C may be overlaid. Insome embodiments, alphanumeric characters informative of the packages112-1 through 112-3, 112-13 through 112-14, and 112-21 through 112-24(e.g., one or more physical characteristics listed in the registrationrecord 172) may be presented instead of or in addition to the symbology.

In some embodiments, the robotic system 100 can make 2-D measurements(e.g., lengths and widths) of packages from the image data (throughimage recognition algorithm(s) that could include edge detectionalgorithm(s). For example, the robotic system 100 can use imagerecognition algorithm(s) (e.g., edge detection algorithm(s) and/ormapping algorithm(s)) to make the 2-D measurements of the packages 112at the de-palletizing platform 110, such as the packages 112-1 through112-3, 112-13 through 112-14, and 112-21 through 112-24. The roboticsystem 100 can make the 2-D measurements based on depth to the measuredsurface. The robotic system 100 can compare (e.g., once the measuredpackage is identified, such as via image recognition of its exposedsurface) the 2-D measurements of the corresponding package 112 to theirregistration records 172 to confirm the accuracy of the registrationrecords 172.

In some embodiments, CoM information stored in the registration record172 may be provided to the PU 150 for the purpose of positioning the endeffector 140 and/or the gripper system 146 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. Therobotic system 100 can place the end effector 140 and/or the grippersystem 146 over the CoM of the package 112 to grab and lift the package112, thereby facilitating operations involving balanced package grippingand level package lifting when package 112 is gripped and lifted fromits position on the de-palletizing platform 110 of FIG. 1A. The packages112 may be grabbed, lifted, transported to, and released at thereceiving platform 120 of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a second example stack ofpackages (e.g., packages 112-31 through 112-54) in accordance with someembodiments of the present technology. FIG. 4B illustrates of a top viewof the second example stack of the packages in accordance with someembodiments of the present technology. FIG. 3B can correspond to animage and/or point cloud data of the scene of looking down on thesepackages as captured by the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIGS.1A and 1B. For the sole purpose of illustration and not of limitation,the packages 112-33, 112-43 and 112-51 can represent registered instanceof the packages 112, each instance having the SI included in therespective instance of the registration record 172 of FIG. 1B stored inthe RDS 170 of FIG. 1B. For the sake of discussion and brevity only, thepackages 112 are rectangular in shape.

In addition, the packages 112-31, 112-32, 112-44, and 112-52 through112-54 can represent unregistered and/or erroneously processed/matchedinstances of the packages 112, which may not correspond to theregistration record 172 stored in the RDS 170 of FIG. 1B. The roboticsystem 100 can use the captured image data representative of theseunregistered/unmatched SIs as first image data and a registerable SI asdiscussed below. For the sake of discussion and brevity only, thepackages 112 are rectangular in shape, and each can have a SI shown byvertical, horizontal, and/or cross-hatched lines.

FIGS. 4C, 4E, 4G, 4I, and 4L can illustrate top views of the stack asone or more packages are removed. FIG. 4C illustrates examplesymbologies of registered and unregistered packages in accordance withsome embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 4C illustrates thesymbologies of rectangles 112-33 a, 112-43 a, and 112-51 a as shown bythe display unit 164 of FIG. 1B. As stated above, SIs for the packages112 may be captured by the image system 160 of FIG. 1B and compared withthe SIs of the registration records 172 of FIG. 1B stored in the RDS 170of FIG. 1B. If registered, the robotic system can assign and/or displaysymbologies indicative of the SI being registered. As illustrated,symbologies 112-33 a, 112-43 a, and 112-51 a, can include rectangularoutlines displayed by the display unit 164.

As shown in FIG. 4C, a combination of inner rectangles 112-61 a through112-61 d, inclusive, within outer rectangles 112-62 a through 112-62 d,inclusive, can be displayed as the symbologies 112-31 a, 112-44 a, and112-53 a for the unregistered SIs of the packages 112-31, 112-44, and112-53 on the display unit 164. In some embodiments, the size andplacement of the inner rectangles 112-61 a through 112-61 d can coincidewith a minimum viable region (MVR) discussed in detail below. Thepresence of symbologies 112-31 a, 112-44 a, and 112-53 a could beindicative that the SIs of the packages 112-31, 112-44, and 112-53 donot have and/or match the registration records 172. In such instance, animage recognition algorithm(s) (e.g., an edge recognition algorithm(s))can be employed to determine a presence of at least two clear edgesforming a corner.

FIG. 4D illustrates examples of unclear edges and MVRs in accordancewith some embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 4D illustrates twoclear edges 112-31 b, 112-44 b, and 112-53 b (e.g., edges thatform/coincide with outer edges of the stack) forming corners 112-31 c,112-44 c, and 112-53 c, respectively, for the unregistered/unmatchedpackages. Also, two unclear edges 112-31 d, 112-44 d, and 112-53 d maybe identified/estimated by the PU 150 to form corners 112-31 e, 112-44e, and 112-53 e, respectively. In some embodiments, the two unclearedges 112-31 d of the package 112-31 of FIG. 4A can be processed byassuming they extend at a predetermined angle (e.g., perpendicularly)from ends 112-31 ba and 112-31 bb, respectively, until intersecting atthe corner 112-31 e. Similarly, the two unclear edges 112-44 d ofpackage 112-44 can be processed by assuming they extend at apredetermined angle (e.g., perpendicularly) from ends 112-44 ba and112-44 bb, respectively, until intersecting at the corner 112-44 e.Likewise, the two unclear edges 112-53 d of package 112-53 can beprocessed by assuming they extend at a predetermined angle (e.g.,perpendicularly) from ends 112-53 ba and 112-53 bb, respectively, untilintersecting at the corner 112-53 e. In some embodiments, the roboticsystem 100 can select or adjust the predetermined angle according to adepth measurement, a position/location, a determined pose, or acombination thereof associated with the corresponding package.

In addition, example MVRs 112-31 f, 112-44 f, and 112-53 f areillustrated in FIG. 4D. In some embodiments, the MVRs may be calculatedfor each unregistered instance of the package 112, which can be used tocreate the registration record 172 of FIG. 1B. The robotic system 100can create the registration record 172 as a function of its respectiveMVR. MVR 112-31 f can be computed so that its sides are collinear withthe two clear edges 112-31 b or portions thereof. In other words, thesize of the MVR 112-31 f can be smaller than the surface of the package112-31. In some embodiments, the MVR 112-31 f can be sized as a functionof the size of the gripper system 146 shown in FIG. 2B or othercharacteristics corresponding to the ability to grab and safely sustainthe grab as the package 112 is lifted. In processing the MVR, therobotic system 100 can assume and use a default CoM for the package 112.Accordingly, using the default CoM and the calculated size, the roboticsystem 100 can calculate the MVR 112-31 f that prevents errors/failuresin associated manipulations (e.g., grip, lift, and/or transport) of thepackages 112. For example, when the MVR is too small, the gripper system146 may be misplaced and a sustained grab by the gripper system 146 maynot be possible when the package 112 is lifted. In some embodiments, theMVR 112-31 f can be sized to exclude straight lines that are part of thesurface designs and/or markings appearing in the SI as determined by animage recognition algorithm(s). In some embodiments, the MVR 112-31 fcan be sized to exclude edges corresponding to lower confidence measure.It should be noted that, although the preceding discussion has beendrawn towards MVR 112-31 f, the function for calculating the MVR 112-31f applies to any MVR discussed herein.

FIG. 4E illustrates a second set of example symbologies of registeredand unregistered packages in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology. FIG. 4E can represent a state of the stack ofpackages after one or more packages have been removed/transported fromthe stack shown in FIG. 4C. The lack of symbology 112-33 a of FIG. 4Ccan indicate registered package 112-33 having been grabbed, lifted, andtransported away from the de-palletizing platform 110 of FIG. 1A. Also,the robotic system 100 can generate/display symbology 112-32 a on thedisplay unit 164, indicating a new recognition of two clear edges (e.g.,edges that are now exposed and no longer adjacent to any abuttingedges/packages) forming a corner for package 112-32 shown in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4F illustrates a second example of unclear edges and an MVR inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 4Fillustrates clear edges 112-32 b forming a corner 112-32 c that havebeen recognized using one or more processes described above. From thisrecognition, two unclear edges 112-32 d and corresponding corner 112-32e may be estimated by the robotic system 100 (e.g., the PU 150) in themanner discussed above, and an MVR 112-32 f may be computed in themanner discussed above.

FIG. 4G illustrates a third set of example symbologies of unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.FIG. 4G can represent a state of the stack of packages after one or morepackages have been removed/transported from the stack shown in FIG. 4E.The lack of symbologies 112-43 a and 112-51 a of FIGS. 4C and 4E canindicate registered packages 112-43 and 112-51 having been grabbed,lifted, and transported away from the de-palletizing platform 110 ofFIG. 1. It should be noted that, while right and left edges for package112-52 of FIG. 4B may now be recognized (e.g., as they are exposed andno longer adjacent to abutting edges/packages), these edges are parallelto each other and not intersecting to form a corner; as such, anaddition of symbology corresponding to package 112-52 may not displayedby display unit 164 in some embodiments.

FIG. 4H illustrates an example placement of a gripper system (e.g., thegripper system 146) over an MVR (e.g., the MVR 112-44 f of FIG. 4D) inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The F-Tsensor 142 and the gripper system 146 comprising the end effector 140 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B may be positioned so that the gripper system 146 isplaced over the MVR 112-44 f without blocking the unclear edges 112-44 dof FIG. 4D from view of the sensors 162 of the image system 160 ofFIG. 1. Then, the package 112-44 could be grabbed and lifted verticallyfor a lift check distance to a raised position. For example, the liftcheck distance can represent a distance that is sufficient for the F-Tsensor 142 of FIGS. 1B and 2A to capture measurements of one or moreaxis forces and/or axis moments of the package 112-44. For example, thelift check distance can represent a vertical distance or distance alongthe z-axis that is greater than zero millimeter. For a specific example,the lift check distance can represent 50 millimeters.

In some embodiments with reference made to the Cartesian coordinatesystem, force measurement(s) along one or more axis (i.e., F(x-axis),F(y-axis), and/or F(z-axis)) and/or moment measurement(s) about one ormore axis (i.e., M(x-axis), M(y-axis), and/or M(z-axis)) may be capturedvia the F-T sensor 142. By applying CoM calculation algorithms, theweight of the package may be computed as a function of the forcemeasurement(s), and the CoM of the package may be computed as a functionof the force measurement(s) and the moment measurement(s). Thesemeasurements can be added to a new instance of the registration record172 of FIG. 1B being created for the package 112-44. In someembodiments, if the computed CoM falls outside of the MVR 112-44 f, thepackage 112-44 may be released from the gripper system 146. Then, thegripper system 146 may be positioned over the computed CoM, at whichtime the package 112-44 may be safely gripped and lifted to the raisedposition again.

While in the raised position, the robotic system can reimage the liftedpackage to clarify the previously unclear edges. Second image datarepresentative of a partial SI of 112-44 (i.e., the portion of theentire SI that is not blocked by the gripper system 146) may be capturedby the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIGS. 1A and 1B to acquireclear edges 112-44 g of the unclear edges 112-44 d of FIG. 4D. In someembodiments, depth information represented in the first image datacomprised of first point cloud data may be compared with depthinformation represented in the second image data comprised of secondpoint cloud data to determine a change of depth information from whichclear edges and 2-D measurements may be determined. Once acquired, thirdimage data representative of a registerable SI may be generated from theSI of the first image data and the clear edges of the second image data.The 2-D measurements determined from the second image data and theregisterable SI of the third image data may now be added to theregistration record 172 being created for the package 112-44. For afurther example, the third image data can represent a template imagedata for the robotic system 100 of FIG. 1A. From here, a new instance ofthe registration record 172 comprised of the registerable SI, the 2-Dmeasurements, and the measurements of weight and CoM for theunregistered instance of the package 112-44 may now be stored in the RDS170 of FIG. 1B. The robotic system 100 can determine whether the package112 is unregistered or not by comparing the SI of the package 112 to thetemplate image data.

FIG. 4I illustrates a fourth set of example symbologies of unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.FIG. 4I can represent a state of the stack of packages after one or morepackages have been removed/transported from the stack shown in FIG. 4G.The lack of symbology 112-44 a of FIGS. 4C, 4E, and 4G can indicatethat, after a new instance of the registration record 172 wasestablished, the formerly unregistered instance of the package 112-44has been transported away from the de-palletizing platform 110. Also,the robotic system 100 can generate/display symbology 112-54 a on thedisplay unit 164, indicating a new recognition of two clear edges (e.g.,newly exposed edges after removal/transport of the previously adjacentpackage(s)) forming a corner for package 112-54 shown in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4J illustrates an example of unclear edges and an MVR for newlyprocessed package (e.g., the package 112-54). FIG. 4J illustrates clearedges 112-54 b forming a corner 112-54 c that have been recognized usingone or more processes described above. From this recognition, twounclear edges 112-54 d and corresponding corner 112-54 e may beestimated by the robotic system 100 (e.g., the PU 150) in the mannerdiscussed above, and an MVR 112-54 f may be computed in the mannerdiscussed above.

FIG. 4K illustrates an example placement of a gripper system (e.g., thegripper system 146) over the MVR of FIG. 4F (e.g., the MVR 112-32 f) inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The F-Tsensor 142 and the gripper system 146 comprising the end effector 140 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B may be positioned so that the gripper system 146 isplaced over the MVR 112-32 f without blocking the unclear edges 112-32 dfrom view of the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIG. 1. Then,with the package 112-32 in a raised position and in the manner discussedabove, weight and CoM measurements may be determined and added to a newinstance of the registration record 172 being created for the package112-32; second image data representative of a partial SI of the package112-32 may be captured from which 2-D measurements and clear edges112-32 g may be determined; and third image data representative of aregisterable SI may be generated from the SI of the first image data andthe clear edges of the second image data. From here, a new instance ofthe registration record 172 comprised of the registerable SI, the 2-Dmeasurements, and the measurements of weight and CoM for theunregistered instance of the package 112-32 may now be stored in the RDS170 of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4L illustrates a fifth set of example symbologies of unregisteredpackages in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.FIG. 4L can represent a state of the stack of packages after one or morepackages have been removed/transported from the stack shown in FIG. 4I.The lack of symbology 112-32 a of FIGS. 4E, 4G, and 4I can indicatethat, after a new instance of the registration record 172 wasestablished, the formerly unregistered instance of the package 112-32has been transported away from the de-palletizing platform 110. Also,the robotic system 100 can generate/display symbology 112-52 a on thedisplay unit 164, indicating a new recognition of two clear edges (e.g.,newly exposed edges after removal/transport of the previously adjacentpackage(s)) forming a corner for the package 112-52 shown in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4M illustrates an example of unclear edges and an MVR for a newlyprocessed package (e.g., the package 112-52). FIG. 4M illustrates clearedges 112-52 b forming a corner 112-52 c that have been recognized usingone or more processes described above. From this recognition, twounclear edges 112-52 d and corresponding corner 112-52 e may beestimated by the robotic system 100 (e.g., the PU 150) in the mannerdiscussed above, and an MVR 112-52 f may be computed in the mannerdiscussed above.

FIG. 4N illustrates an example placement of a gripper system (e.g., thegripper system 146) over the MVR of FIG. 4M (e.g., the MVR 112-52 f) inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The F-Tsensor 142 and the gripper system 146 comprising the end effector 140 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B may be positioned so that the gripper system 146 isplaced over the MVR 112-52 f without blocking the unclear edges 112-52 dfrom view of the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIG. 1. Then,with the package 112-52 in a raised position and in the manner discussedabove, weight and CoM measurements may be determined and added to a newinstance of the registration record 172 being created for the package112-52; second image data representative of a partial SI of the package112-52 may be captured from which 2-D measurements and clear edges112-52 g may be determined; and third image data representative of aregisterable SI may be generated from the SI of the first image data andthe clear edges of the second image data. From here, a new instance ofthe registration record 172 comprised of the registerable SI, the 2-Dmeasurements, and the measurements of weight and CoM for unregisteredinstance of the package 112-52 may now be stored in the RDS 170 of FIG.1B.

FIG. 4O illustrates an example placement of a gripper system (e.g., thegripper system 146) over the MVR of FIG. 4J (e.g., the MVR 112-54 f) inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The F-Tsensor 142 and the gripper system 146 comprising the end effector 140 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B may be positioned so that the gripper system 146 isplaced over the MVR 112-54 f without blocking the unclear edges 112-54 dfrom view of the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIG. 1. Then,with package 112-54 in a raised position and in the manner discussedabove, weight and CoM measurements may be determined and added to a newinstance of the registration record 172 being created for the package112-54; second image data representative of a partial SI of package112-54 may be captured from which 2-D measurements and clear edges112-54 g may be determined; and third image data representative of aregisterable SI may be generated from the SI of the first image data andthe clear edges of the second image data. From here, a new instance ofthe registration record 172 comprised of the registerable SI, the 2-Dmeasurements, and the measurements of weight and CoM for unregisteredinstance of the package 112-54 may now be stored in the RDS 170 of FIG.1B.

FIG. 4P illustrates an example placement of a gripper system (e.g., thegripper system 146) over a second MVR of FIG. 4D (e.g., the MVR 112-31f) in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. TheF-T sensor 142 and the gripper system 146 comprising the end effector140 of FIGS. 1A and 1B may be positioned so that the gripper system 146is placed over the MVR 112-31 f without blocking the unclear edges112-31 d from view of the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIG. 1.Then, with the package 112-31 in a raised position and in the mannerdiscussed above, weight and CoM measurements may be determined and addedto a new instance of the registration record 172 being created for thepackage 112-31; second image data representative of a partial SI ofpackage 112-31 may be captured from which 2-D measurements and clearedges 112-31 g may be determined; and third image data representative ofa registerable SI may be generated from the SI of the first image dataand the clear edges of the second image data. From here, a new instanceof the registration record 172 comprised of the registerable SI, the 2-Dmeasurements, and the measurements of weight and CoM for unregisteredpackage 112-31 may now be stored in the RDS 170 of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4Q illustrates an example placement of a gripper system (e.g., thegripper system 146) over a third MVR of FIG. 4D (e.g., the MVR 112-53)in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The F-Tsensor 142 and the gripper system 146 comprising the end effector 140 ofFIGS. 1A and 1B may be positioned so that the gripper system 146 isplaced over the MVR 112-53 f without blocking the unclear edges 112-53 dfrom view of the sensors 162 of the image system 160 of FIG. 1. Then,with the package 112-53 in a raised position and in the manner discussedabove, weight and CoM measurements may be determined and added to a newinstance of the registration record 172 being created for the package112-53; second image data representative of a partial SI of package112-53 may be captured from which 2-D measurements and clear edges112-53 g may be determined; and third image data representative of aregisterable SI may be generated from the SI of the first image data andthe clear edges of the second image data. From here, a new instance ofthe registration record 172 comprised of the registerable SI, the 2-Dmeasurements, and the measurements of weight and CoM for unregisteredinstance of the package 112-53 may now be stored in the RDS 170 of FIG.1B.

FIG. 5 illustrates a control flow 200 for an example method foroperating the robotic system 100 of FIG. 1A. The control flow 200 caninclude registering an unregistered of the package 112 during a packagehandling operation, where the PU 150 of FIG. 1B may be programmed orconfigured with instructions corresponding to the modules (e.g.,circuits, functions, computer/device-executable instructions, or acombination thereof) embodied in the control flow 200. In someembodiments, the PU 150 may be a processor or a combination ofprocessors found in the robotic arm system 130 of FIG. 1B, the endeffector 140 of FIG. 1B, the image system 160 of FIG. 1B, the RDS 170 ofFIG. 1B, a stand-alone controller, and/or any other system suitable forperforming the task. Also, the PU 150 may be a processor of a modulesuch as, but not limited to, a printed circuit card having one or moreinput interfaces to facilitate the two-way data communications of the PU130, i.e., the receiving and providing of data. As necessary for theaccomplishment of the following modules embodied in the control flow200, the receiving of data is synonymous and/or interchangeable with theacquiring and/or retrieving of data, and the providing of data issynonymous and/or interchangeable with the making available or supplyingof data.

The robotic system 100 can include a capture module 202. The capturemodule 202 captures the SI as the first image data. For example, thecapture module 202 can capture the first image data with the sensor(s)162 of FIG. 1B. More specifically as an example, the capture module 202can operate the image system 160 and/or interact with the image system160 to capture and/or receive from the image system 160 the imaging datacorresponding to a top view of a stack as illustrated in FIG. 3B and/orFIG. 4B. The capture module 202 can process the resulting imaging datato capture the top surface of the package 112 of FIG. 1A as the firstimage data. In some embodiments, the capture module 202 can employ oneor more image recognition algorithms (e.g., the contextual imageclassification, pattern recognition, and/or edge detection) to analyzethe imaging data and identify edges and/or surfaces of the packages 112therein. Based on the processing results (e.g., the identified edgesand/or continuous surfaces), the capture module 202 can identifyportions (e.g., sets of pixels values and/or depth readings) of theimaging data as representing top surfaces of individual packages. Thecapture module 202 can transmit the first image data corresponding tothe top surface(s) of one or more of the individual packages to a regionmodule 204.

The robotic system 100 can include the region module 204, which can becoupled to the capture module 202. The region module 204 calculates theMVR. For example, the region module 204 can calculate the MVR based onthe package 112, the registration record 172 of FIG. 1B, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the capture module 202 can compare the receivedimage data (e.g., the first image data) to the registration record 172.For example, the capture module 202 can compare the first image dataand/or any processing results thereof (e.g., dimension/size estimatesand/or visual markings derived from the image data) to existingdescriptions/templates of known or previously encountered packages.Based on the comparison, the region module 204 can determine whether thefirst image data matches corresponding information of a known orpreviously encountered package as stored in the registration records172.

The region module 204 can calculate the MVR in a number of ways,including, for example, calculating the MVR based on whether the package112 is registered as the registration record 172 (e.g., whethercomparison of the first image data to the registration records 172returns a match). More specifically as an example, if the first imagedata matches one of the registration records 172 (e.g., the package 112is registered as one or more of the registration records 172), theregion module 204 can avoid calculating the MVR. In contrast, the regionmodule 204 can calculate the MVR when first image data does not match toany of the registration records 172. For example, the first image datacaptured can represent the top surface of the unregistered instance ofthe package 112. Since the package 112 is unregistered, some instance ofthe edge of the package 112 can be unclear. More specifically as anexample, the unregistered package 112-31 of FIG. 4B can include unclearedges 112-31 d of FIG. 4D. The region module 204 can identify a set ofclear and/or unclear edges. In some embodiments, the region module 204can identify the clear edges (e.g., edges forming/coincident withperipheral edges of the stack and not abutting any other packages) anduse them as references. Accordingly, the region module 204 can use theclear edges to determine the MVR as described above (e.g., according toa size/characteristic of the gripper system 146). The region module 204can determine the MVR that is smaller than the area of the surface ofthe package 112 captured in the first image data.

For a specific example, the first image data of the package 112-31 caninclude two clear edges 112-31 b of FIG. 4D. The region module 204 canpredict the boundary of the surface area of the package 112-31 byextending the two clear edges 112-31 b and the two unclear edges 112-31d so that the two clear edges 112-31 b intersect with the two unclearedges 112-31 d. The region module 204 can calculate the MVR based on theboundary of the surface area by determining the MVR to be smaller thanthe boundary of the surface area. In some embodiments, the region module204 can identify (e.g., based on the image data) a pair of edges (e.g.,clear and/or unclear edges) for the package surface that intersect eachother to form a first corner. The region module 204 can use the pair ofedges to determine the MVR, such as by estimating unclear edges viaextending a pair of line perpendicular to the pair of edges and towardeach other. Accordingly, the region module 204 can estimate an opposingcorner as an intersect of the pair of unclear/extended pair lines. Theregion module 204 can extend the unclear/perpendicular lines from pointson the first pair of edges that correspond to one or moresizes/characteristics of the gripper system 146.

For a further example, design and/or markings appearing on the SI of thepackage 112 can include a straight line. The straight line can bemistaken as the edge of the surface of the package 112. To reducepotential misidentification of the edge, the region module 204 cancalculate the MVR excluding the portion of the surface with the straightline. More specifically as an example, the region module 204 cancalculate the MVR smaller than the boundary of the surface areacomprised with the straight line.

For a different example, the region module 204 can calculate the MVRbased on the location of the package 112. For example, the pallet caninclude more than one packages 112 (registered and/or unregistered) asshown in FIG. 3A/FIG. 4B on the de-palletizing platform 110 of FIG. 1A.From the group of packages, the region module 204 can calculate the MVRbased on a location of one instance of the package 112 relative toanother instance of the package 112. As discussed, all of the edges ofthe registered instance of the package 112 can be known, such as basedon positively matching the exposed surface of the package to registereddata and using previously stored size/dimension measures that correspondto the registered data.

In contrast, some of the edges for the unregistered instance of thepackage 112 can be unknown, such as due to the package 112-52 beingunregistered. Furthermore, an unknown package (e.g., the package 112-52)can be surrounded by other packages, such as the packages 112-31,112-32, 112-33, 112-43, 112-44, 112-51, 112-53, and/or 112-54 asillustrated in FIG. 4B. Since the edges of the 112-52 are unknown, SI ofthe 112-52 can overlap with surface images of other packages 112.

In some instances, one or more of the surrounding packages (e.g., thepackage 112-32) can also be unregistered/unmatched according to theregistration records 172, which can introduce further uncertaintiesabout the remaining/unknown edges of the package 112-52. Without a clearboundary established between the package 112-52 and the package 112-32,the SI for the package 112-52 and the SI for the package 112-32 canoverlap with each other.

In contrast, while the package 112-31 may also beunregistered/unmatched, the sensors 162 can detect a uniquelocation/state of the package 112-31 relative to the de-palletizingplatform 110 and/or other packages. For example, the region module 204can determine that the package 112-31 satisfies a predeterminedlocation/state when at least one edge of the package 112-31 is notadjacent to/abutting another package 112. More specifically as anexample, the two edges 112-31 b FIG. 4B and the corner 112-31 c of FIG.4B can be clearly visible in the first image and/or correspond to adepth measure (e.g., for a continuous surface) different (e.g., locatedabove) than those at surrounding/adjacent horizontal locations. Also,for example, the region module 204 can determine that the package 112-31and/or its outer edges correspond to a corner and/or an outer portion ofthe de-palletizing platform 110.

Accordingly, the region module 204 can determine the unregisteredinstance of the package 112 to be at or near the outer perimeter of thede-palletizing platform 110 based on the visibility of the edge(s), thecorner, or a combination thereof of the package 112. In someembodiments, the region module 204 can further determine theunregistered instance of the package 112 to be exposed (e.g., notadjacent to other packages, such as due to removal of previouslyadjacent package) along one or more horizontal directions. The regionmodule 204 can prioritize the calculation of the MVR for theunregistered instance of the package 112 that are exposed and/or at theexterior over other unregistered packages (e.g., the unregisteredpackage 112-52 112 located at the horizontally interior portion of thestack/layer).

In some embodiments, the region module 204 can prioritize thecalculation of the MVR for the package with the greater number of edgesthat are clearly visible and/or exposed over the package with fewer suchedges. Accordingly, the robotic system 100 can reduce the risk ofgrasping the package with SI that overlaps with another package 112 andreduce the corresponding gripping/lifting failures. For the exampleillustrated in 4B, the region module 204 can determine the MVR for thepackage 112-31, 112-53, and/or 112-44 before the packages 112-32, 112-54112-52. The region module 204 can transmit the MVR to a lift module 206.

The region module 204 can calculate the MVR based on two unclearcorners. More specifically as an example, the two unclear corners can becomprised of a combination of at least three unclear edges, two clearedges and one unclear edge, or two unclear edges and one clear edge. Asdiscussed above, the region module 204 can predict the boundary of thesurface of the package 112 by extending each edge to intersect the otheredge to create a corner. The region module 204 can calculate the MVRbased on the boundary of the surface area created by the three edges/twocorners by determining the MVR to be smaller than the boundary createdby the two unclear corners.

The robotic system 100 calculating the MVR dynamically and in real-timeprovides improved accuracy and performance in grasping the unregisteredinstance of the package 112. By calculating the MVR, the robotic system100 can estimate the surface area (e.g., the correspondingedges/boundaries) of the package 112 where the gripper system 146 ofFIG. 4H can safely grasp the package 112. As a result, the roboticsystem 100 can transfer the package 112 unregistered to the roboticsystem 100 without stopping the workflow to improve the performance ofthe workflow for depalletizing the packages 112.

The robotic system 100 can include the lift module 206, which can becoupled to the region module 204. The lift module 206 implements (via,e.g., communicating and/or executing) the command for the robotic arm132 of FIG. 1A to lift the package 112. For example, the lift module 206can operate the robotic arm 132 to lift the unregistered instance of thepackage 112 for the lift check distance as discussed above. Morespecifically as an example, the robotic arm 132 can lift the package 112by grasping within the MVR of the package 112 with the gripper system146 where at least one of the edge that is unclear is visible to thesensors 162. In other words, for unregistered/unidentified packages, thelift module 206 can operate the robotic arm 132 to place the grippersystem 146 directly on/over/contacting the MVR. As a result, the liftmodule 206 can grip and lift the corresponding package while leaving oneor more unclear edges uncovered by the gripper system 146 andexposed/viewable by the sensors 162.

The lift module 206 can operate in a number of ways. For example, thelift module 206 can execute the lift command for the robotic arm 132 tograsp the package 112 within the MVR where the unclear edge is visibleto the sensors 162. For a specific example, as shown in FIG. 4D, therobotic arm 132 can lift the package 112-44 of FIG. 4D within the 112-44f of FIG. 4D. The SI of the package 112-44 can include two clear edges112-44 b and the corner 112-44 c. The SI of the package 112-44 can alsoinclude two unclear edges 112-44 d. As shown in FIG. 4H, the robotic arm132 can lift the package 112-44 by grasping the package 112-44 where thetwo unclear edges 112-44 b are visible to the sensors 162 Withoututilizing the MVR, the gripper system 146 may grip the package at alocation that blocks the edge from being detectable by the sensors 162.

For a different example, the lift module 206 can determine the weight ofthe package 112. More specifically as an example, the lift module 206can determine the weight of the unregistered instance of the package 112using the F-T sensor 142 of FIG. 1B. The lift module 206 can transmitthe weight of the package 112 to a registration module 212.

In some embodiments, the capture module 202 can further capture the SIof the unregistered instance of the package 112 after the lift and/or asit is being lifted by the grasp on the MVR as the second image data.More specifically as an example, the capture module 202 can capture thesecond image data based on the package 112 being lifted for the liftcheck distance to include the now visible two clear edges 112-44 g ofFIG. 4H. In other words, the lift module 206 can improve the visibilityand/or clarity of the initially unclear edges by lifting the package112. Accordingly, the capture module 202 can capture the second imagedata (e.g., for the package 112 in a lifted state/position) that clearlyidentifies/shows the previously unclear edges. The capture module 202can transmit the second image data to an extraction module 208.

The robotic system 100 can include the extraction module 208, which canbe coupled to the lift module 206. The extraction module 208 extractsthe third image data. For example, the extraction module 208 can extractthe third image data based on the first image data, the second imagedata, or a combination thereof.

The extraction module 208 can extract the third image data in a numberof ways. For example, the extraction module 208 can determine an imagedifference based comparing the first image data and the second imagedata. The image difference can represent the difference between thefirst image data and the second image data of the same instance of theunregistered instance of the package 112.

More specifically as an example, the first image data can include SIwith the design and/or markings of the package 112. However, since thepackage 112 is unregistered, the edges of the package 112 can be unclearor not definitively determined. Thus, the first image data can includethe SI of the package 112 with the edge that is unclear or overlappedwith the SI of another package 112. For a further example, the secondimage data can include the SI of the package 112 after being lifted forthe lift check distance. More specifically as an example, the secondimage data can include the SI of the package 112 with previously unclearedge (e.g., edges 112-44 b) becoming clear edge (e.g., edges 112-44 g)after the package 112 is lifted. The unclear edge can become clear edgeafter the package 112 is lifted because the package 112 becomes separate(e.g., at a higher height) from other adjacent packages 112. The sensors162 can distinguish between different packages 112 because the distanceor depth between the package 112 being lifted and the adjacent packages112 can be different from the sensors 162.

The extraction module 208 can extract the third image data based oncombining the image differences between the first image data and thesecond image data. For example, the first image data of the package112-44 can include the design and/or markings, the two clear edges112-44 b, the corner 112-44 c, or a combination thereof. For a furtherexample, the second image data of the package 112-44 can include the twoclear edges 112-44 g. The extraction module 208 can extract the thirdimage data of the package 112-44 by including the design and/ormarkings, the two clear edges 112-44 b, the corner 112-44 c, the twoclear edges 112-44 g, or a combination thereof.

For a further example, the extraction module 208 can determine thelength, width, or a combination thereof of the package 112 based on thethird image data. More specifically as an example, based on the clearedges, the extraction module 208 can determine the dimension includingthe length, the width, or a combination thereof. The extraction module208 can transmit the third image data, the length, the width, or acombination thereof to the registration module 212.

Extraction of the third image data dynamically and in real-time providesimproved performance and the accuracy of the robotic system 100 toidentify and to grasp the unregistered instance of the package 112. Byextracting the third image data, the robotic system 100 can identify theedges of the package 112 to differentiate from another package 112. Byclearly identifying the boundaries/edges of the package 112, the robotsystem 100 can efficiently place the gripper system 146 on the package112 to securely grasp and transfer the package 112. As a result, therobotic system 100 can continue to transfer the package 112 unregisteredto the robotic system 100 to improve the performance of the workflow fordepalletizing the packages 112.

For illustrative purposes, the lift module 206 is described to executethe command to lift the package 112 but the lift module 206 can operatedifferently. For example, the lift module 206 can determine the CoMbased on lifting the package 112. More specifically as an example, thelift module 206 can determine whether the location within the MVR wherethe package 112 is gripped and lifted by the gripper system 146 is abovethe CoM of the package 112. For a further example, the lift module 206can determine whether the CoM is within the xy axes represented as theMVR.

The lift module 206 can determine the CoM in a number of ways. Forexample, the lift module 206 can determine the CoM with the F-T sensor142 as described above. For a further example, the lift module 206 candetermine whether the CoM is under the surface area represented as theMVR with the F-T sensor 142, the CoM algorithm, or a combinationthereof.

Using the F-T sensor 142 and the CoM algorithms, the lift module 206 canalso determine whether the location/portion within the MVR that contactsor is covered by the gripper where the package 112 coincides with orincludes the CoM. For a further example, the lift module 206 candetermine a new location within the MVR for the gripper system 146 togrip the package 112 if the original gripping location is not above theCoM of the package 112. More specifically as an example, the lift module206 can determine the new location to grip relative to the originallocation gripped is above the CoM using the CoM algorithm discussedabove. For example, the lift module 206 can calculate a vector directionbased on a measured torque and/or a direction thereof. Based on thetorque, the lift module 206 can estimate a location/direction of adownward force relative to the F-T sensor 142 and/or the gripper system146. Also, the lift module 206 can calculate a distance based on amagnitude of the measured torque, a measured weight of the liftedpackage 112, a relationship between the gripping location and thepackage boundaries/edges, or a combination thereof. The lift module 206can check if the new location (e.g., the vector direction and thedistance) to grip is within the MVR. If the new location is above theCoM, the lift module 206 can verify that the CoM of the package 112 isproperly determined.

If the lift module 206 determines that the location within the MVRgripped is not the CoM, the lift module 206 can execute the command todrop or lower the package 112 to where the gripper system 146 had liftedthe package 112. Furthermore, the lift module 206 can execute thecommand for the gripper system 146 to grasp the package 112 at the newlocation within the MVR (by, e.g., lowering and releasing the package112, repositioning the gripper system 146, and then regripping thepackage 112) and for the robotic arm 132 to lift the package 112 for thelift check distance. For additional example, the gripper system 146 cangrasp at the new location within the MVR without blocking the sensors162 from detecting the unclear edge of the package 112. The lift module206 can transmit the registration module 212.

The robotic system 100 determining the CoM of the package 112dynamically and in real-time provides improved performance of therobotic system 100 transferring unregistered instance of the package112. By accurately identifying the CoM of unregistered/unrecognizedpackages, the stability of the gripper system 146 grasping the package112 improves. As a result, the robotic system 100 can continue totransfer the package 112 unregistered to the robotic system 100 toimprove the performance of the workflow for depalletizing the packages112.

For illustrative purposes, the capture module 202 is described tocapture the first image data, the second image data, or a combinationthereof but the capture module 202 can operate differently. For example,the capture module 202 can capture a regripped image data representedthe SI of the package 112 after the CoM is correctly determined asdiscussed above. More specifically as an example, the robotic arm 132can lift the package 112 after the gripper system 146 grasps the package112 at the new location within the MVR. The capture module 202 cancapture the regripped image data representing the SI of the package 112gripped at the new location within the MVR and above the CoM. Thecapture module 202 can transmit the regripped image data to theextraction module 208.

For illustrative purposes, the extraction module 208 is describedextracting the third image data based on the first image data, thesecond image data, or a combination thereof but the extraction module208 can operate differently. For example, the extraction module 208 canextract the third image data based on the first image data, theregripped image data, or a combination thereof similarly as describedabove for the extraction module 208 extracting the third image databased on the first image data, the second image data, or a combinationthereof. The extraction module 208 can determine the dimension includingthe length, the width, or a combination thereof of the package 112 asdiscussed above. The extraction module 208 can transmit the third imagedata, the length, the width, or a combination thereof to theregistration module 212.

The robotic system 100 can include a transfer module 210, which can becoupled to the extraction module 208. The transfer module 210 executesthe command to transfer the package 112 to the receiving platform 120 ofFIG. 1A. For example, the transfer module 210 can execute the commandfor the robotic arm 132 to transfer the registered or unregisteredinstance of the package 112 to the receiving platform 120.

The transfer module 210 can execute the command in a number of ways. Forexample, the transfer module 210 can execute the command to transfer thepackage 112 based on the registration status of the package 112. Morespecifically as an example, if the registration record 172 exists forthe package 112, the transfer module 210 can execute the command for therobotic arm 132 grasping the registered instance of the package 112 totransfer the package 112 for placing on the receiving platform 120.

For a different example, if the registration record 172 does not exist,the third image data of the package 112 will be extracted as discussedabove. Moreover, the transfer module 210 can execute the command for therobotic arm 132 grasping the unregistered instance of the package 112 totransfer the package 112 to the receiving platform 120. For a furtherexample, when the robotic arm 132 lowers the package 112 to thereceiving platform 120, the bottom extent of the package 112 can triggerthe HDS 180 of FIG. 1A.

The height of the HDS 180 relative to the floor can be predefined as theheight of the receiving platform 120 can be predefined. The transfermodule 210 can determine the height of the package 112 based on a timewhen the bottom of the package 112 crosses the HDS 180 and a height ofthe gripper system 146. More specifically as an example, the transfermodule 210 can determine the height of the package 112 based on thedistance/difference between the location or height of the gripper system146 when the signal (i.e., representative of the package 112 crossingthe HDS 180) is received and the predefined height of the HDS 180. Thetransfer module 210 can transmit the height of the package 112 to theregistration module 212.

The robotic system 100 determining the height of the unregisteredinstance of the package 112 dynamically and in real-time providesimproved performance of the robotic system 100 depalletizing thepackages 112. By determining the height of unregistered/unrecognizedpackages, the robotic system 100 can accurately identify the attributesof the packages 112 to safely grasp the package. As a result, therobotic system 100 can continuously transfer the packages 112 of sametype to improve the performance of the workflow for depalletizing thepackages 112.

The robotic system 100 can include the registration module 212, whichcan be coupled to the transfer module 210. The registration module 212registers the attribute of the package 112. For example, theregistration module 212 can register (e.g., by tying or storingtogether) the third image data, the length, the width, the height, theweight, the CoM, or a combination thereof of the unregistered instanceof the package 112. More specifically as an example, the registrationmodule 212 can generate the registration record 172 to convert theunregistered instance of the package 112 into the registered instance ofthe package 112.

It should be noted that the steps of the method described above may beembodied in computer-readable media stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as computer instruction code. The method mayinclude one or more of the steps described herein, which one or moresteps may be carried out in any desired order including being carriedout simultaneously with one another. For example, two or more of thesteps disclosed herein may be combined in a single step and/or one ormore of the steps may be carried out as two or more sub-steps. Further,steps not expressly disclosed or inherently present herein may beinterspersed with or added to the steps described herein, or may besubstituted for one or more of the steps described herein as will beappreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefitof the instant disclosure.

The above Detailed Description of examples of the disclosed technologyis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed technology tothe precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for thedisclosed technology are described above for illustrative purposes,various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosed technology, as those skilled in the relevant art willrecognize. For example, while processes or modules are presented in agiven order, alternative implementations may perform routines havingsteps, or employ systems having modules, in a different order, and someprocesses or modules may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined,and/or modified to provide alternative or sub-combinations. Each ofthese processes or modules may be implemented in a variety of differentways. Also, while processes or modules are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or modules may instead be performedor implemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times.Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples;alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

As used herein, the term “embodiment” means an embodiment that serves toillustrate by way of example but not limitation. It will be appreciatedto those skilled in the art that the preceding examples and embodimentsare exemplary and not limiting to the broad scope of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein. It is intended that all modifications,permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto thatare apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of thespecification and a study of the drawings are included within the broadscope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claims include all suchmodifications, permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvementsfalling within the broad scope of the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a robotic system, themethod comprising: identifying a pair of edges based on first image datathat represents of a package; identifying an additional feature based onthe first image data; determining a minimum viable region based on thepair of edges and the additional feature; generating one or morecommands for moving the package based on the minimum viable region;receiving second image data representative of the package after movingthe package; and creating registration data representative of a newregistration record of the package based on at least the second imagedata.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first image data furtherrepresents one or more objects adjacent to the package; identifying theadditional feature includes estimating an unclear edge based on thefirst image data, wherein the unclear edge represents an estimate of anedge of the package adjacent to the one or more objects; the minimumviable region does not overlap the unclear edge; generating the one ormore commands includes generating the one or more commands for placingthe end effector over a default CoM location within the minimum viableregion; and further comprising: determining the default CoM locationwithin the minimum viable region.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying a new edge based on the second image data,wherein the new edge represents an actual exposed edge of the packagecorresponding to the angle relative to the one of the pair of edges; andwherein: the registration data corresponds to one or more portions ofthe first and/or second image data between the exposed edge and the newedge.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the additionalfeature includes identifying an additional edge represented in the firstimage data.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional edge isidentified based on an orientation thereof relative to the pair ofedges.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the additional feature is adepiction of a straight line on a surface of the first image data; andthe minimum viable region is a continuous region that excludes thestraight line.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the straight linecorresponds to a confidence measure that is below a threshold.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining the minimum viable regionincludes determining a size of the minimum viable region based on agripper size representative of one or more lateral dimensions of the endeffector.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first image dataincludes a three-dimensional depth map and a two-dimensional surfaceimage of a group of objects including the package; the pair of edges areidentified based on the three-dimensional depth map; the additionalfeature is identified based on the two-dimensional surface image; andthe minimum viable region extends between the pair of edges and theadditional feature.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving data after moving the package, wherein the data represents ameasurement from a sensor connected to or integral with the endeffector; determining a center of mass location of the package based onthe received data; and when the determined center of mass location isoutside of the minimum viable region, generating one or more commandsfor (1) releasing the package from the end-effector, (2) placing theend-effector over the center of mass location, and (3) regripping thepackage based on the center of mass location.
 11. A robotic systemcomprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled tothe at least one processor, the memory including instructions executableby the at least one processor to: identify a pair of edges based onfirst image data that represents a package; identifying an additionalfeature represented in the first image data; determine a minimum viableregion based on the pair of edges and the additional feature; generateone or more commands for moving the package based on the minimum viableregion; receive second image data representative of the package aftermoving the package; and create registration data representative of a newregistration record of the package based on at least the second imagedata.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein: the first image data furtherrepresents one or more objects adjacent to the package; the at least onememory includes instructions to identify the additional edge includingan unclear edge based on the first image data, wherein the unclear edgerepresents an edge of the package adjacent to the one or more objects;and the minimum viable region does not overlap the unclear edge.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the at least one memory includesinstructions to: identify a new edge based on the second image data,wherein— the new edge represents an actual exposed edge of the packagecorresponding to an angle relative to the one of the pair of edges, andthe new edge corresponds to the unclear edge; and wherein: theregistration data corresponds with one or more portions of the firstand/or second image data between the exposed edge and the new edge. 14.The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one memory includesinstructions to identify the new edge based on differences in depth datameasured after lifting the package.
 15. The system of claim 11, whereinthe registration data corresponds with a portion of the first image databetween the pair of edges and one or more locations corresponding to thenew edge.
 16. A non-transitory memory medium storing computer-executableinstructions, when executed by a computing system, cause the computingsystem to perform a computer-implemented method, the method comprising:identifying a pair of edges based on first image data that represents apackage; identifying an additional feature based on the first imagedata; determining a minimum viable region based on the pair of edges andthe additional feature; generating one or more commands for moving thepackage based on the minimum viable region; receiving second image datarepresentative of the package after moving the package; and creatingregistration data representative of a new registration record of thepackage based on at least the second image data.
 17. The non-transitorymemory medium of claim 16, wherein: the additional feature is a straightline represented in the first image data; and the minimum viable regionis a continuous region that excludes the straight line.
 18. Thenon-transitory memory medium of claim 17, wherein the straight linecorresponds to a confidence measure that is below a threshold.
 19. Thenon-transitory memory medium of claim 16, wherein the generated one ormore commands are for moving the package with an end effector positionedover and gripping based on the minimum viable region.
 20. Thenon-transitory memory medium of claim 16, wherein the additional featureis an additional edge represented in the first image data.